My Assistant Principal and I took the ACSA Innovative Technology Academy in 2013 - 2014. We were then looking at a Title I school of 730 students, 98% Free and Reduced Lunch, 54% EL students and only 34% of the homes had access to the internet or computers. On campus we had only one computer lab and students with very few computer skills. With the support of the ACSA facilitators we were able to transform our school to be prepared to have students confidently perform well on the SBAC this past Spring. We now have a chromebook cart in all 3rd - 6th grade classrooms, 6 chromebook carts for 8 first and second grade teachers to share. We have 3 iPad Carts, a 3D Printer and Vinyl Cutter and have added robotics for all 2nd grade classes. However, none of the hardware can make a difference to students without the abundant training for the teachers, vision, modeling and support of the administration as well as consistent celebrations of where we have arrived with students and teachers. We will present the steps we took over the course of the year we took the course, last year when we implemented our vision and this year as we are expanding the opportunities for students to become the Digital Students they need to be in the 21st Century!
